Engineering Manager's Guide to Terminations and HR Collaboration

Letting an engineering team member go is one of the most challenging responsibilities a manager can face. Handling this process incorrectly can lead to legal risks, security vulnerabilities, and damaged team morale. This course prepares engineering leaders to navigate the termination process professionally, ethically, and in lockstep with Human Resources. You will learn how to manage performance documentation, handle the transition of technical responsibilities, and protect your organization while treating departing employees with respect. What you'll learn: Understand the fundamental legal frameworks and compliance requirements surrounding employee termination; Collaborate effectively with HR to build objective, fair, and legally sound performance documentation; Manage the distinct logistics of offboarding technical staff, including secure access revocation and hardware return for remote or hybrid teams; Conduct termination conversations with clarity, professionalism, and empathy; Support the remaining engineering team to maintain morale, trust, and psychological safety after a departure. We begin with foundational definitions of performance management and the legal basics of termination. From there, you will read through step-by-step guidance on documenting issues, coordinating the final exit meeting with HR, and handling post-termination team communication. This course is designed for new engineering managers, tech leads, and software engineering directors who want to build a structured, compliant approach to team transitions. No prior management or HR experience is required. Equip yourself with the knowledge to handle difficult team transitions with confidence and integrity.